Hey freinds, I am Udit Das from easydiywood.com and today I want to talk about something that I been loving since last few months. Red cedar woodworking. Yeah, you heard it right. When I first started doing red cedar woodworking I was super confused. Like where to buy this wood, how much it costs, what tools I need and all that stuff. So I thougt let me share my full experience with you guys so you dont have to struggle like me.
Ok so let me tell you something honestly. I am not a proffesional woodworker or anything. I am just a regular guy who loves making things from wood at home. And when I found out about red cedar, it kind of changed my whole DIY game. The smell, the colour, the way it cuts so smoothly. Everything about red cedar woodworking just feels right, you know?
So in this post I am going to share everything I know about working with this beautful wood. From buying it cheap to making simple projects that even a complete beginner can do. Lets get into it shall we?
What is Red Cedar Wood Actually?
Ok so first things first. When people say red cedar there is actually two main types you should know about. One is Eastern Red Cedar wood and the other is Western Red Cedar. Both are diffrent but both are amazing for woodworking.
Eastern Red Cedar wood is what I mostly use. Its scientific name is Juniperus virginiana and people also call it aromatic cedar or pencil cedar. You know those old pencils that smelled so good? Yeah that was made from this same wood. Pretty cool right?
The heartwood of red cedar is this beautful bright red colour, sometimes it looks almost purple when you first cut it. Over time it changes to a darker reddish brown shade. And the sapwood part is white colour which gives a really nice contrast when you are doing red cedar woodworking.
Now the best part about this wood for beginners like us is that its actually a softwood. That means its easy to cut, easy to sand, and easy to shape. You dont need fancy expensive tools to work with red cedar. Even basic hand tools are enuff to get started.
Red cedar also has this natural resistance against bugs and rot. So if you make something for outdoor use, it will last for a good long time. How amazing is that? This is why so many people do red cedar woodworking for outdoor furniture and garden stuff.
Why Red Cedar Woodworking is Perfect for Beginners on a Budget
Let me be real with you guys. When I first started woodworking, I was spending way too much money on fancy hardwoods that were too difficult for me to work with. Then a freind of mine said try red cedar. And man, that was the best advise I ever got.
Here is why red cedar woodworking makes so much sense if you are just starting out and dont want to spend too much money.
First, the wood itself is soft and forgiving. If you make a mistake while cutting, which trust me you will because I still do, you can easily fix it. Unlike hardwoods where one wrong cut and you wasted the whole piece.
Second, you dont need expensive power tools. I started my red cedar woodworking jouney with just a basic hand saw, some sandpaper, and wood glue. Thats literally it. Later I added a jigsaw and a drill but those are optional when you are beginning.
Third, red cedar looks expenive even without any fancy finishing. The natural colour and grain pattern of this wood is so pretty that many times you dont even need to apply stain or paint. Just a light sanding and maybe some oil and your project looks like it was made by a proffesional. You can check my guide on woodworking staining tips if you want to learn about finishing later.
And fourth, the smell. Oh my god the smell. When you cut red cedar, your whole workshop fills with this amazing aroma. Its like nature’s own air freshner. Some people say the scent keeps moths and bugs away too, though I am not hundered percent sure about that claim.
How Much Does Red Cedar Cost? Red Cedar Price Per Board Foot Explained
Ok so this is the question everyone asks me. How much does red cedar cost? And honestly, the answer is it depends on a lot of things.
The red cedar price per board foot can vary quite a bit based on where you live in USA, what grade you buying, and whether its rough cut or already planed smooth. From my experience and what I have seen online, you can expect to pay somewhere around $2.50 to $7.00 per board foot for most common grades.
If you want the really premium clear stuff with no knots at all, then the red cedar price per board foot can go even higher, sometimes $10 or more. But honestly, for beginner red cedar woodworking projects, you really dont need the fancy grade. The knotty boards actually look more rustic and charming in my opinion.
Here are some tips I use to save money on red cedar:
Buy rough sawn lumber instead of planed. Its cheaper and you can sand it yourself at home. Look for local sawmills near you. They usually sell way cheaper than big box stores. Check online marketplaces for Eastern Red Cedar wood for sale. Sometimes people are selling their own milled boards at very good rates. Buy offcuts and scrap pieces. These are smaller pieces that mills sell at a discount and they are perfect for small red cedar woodworking projects.
I once got a whole box of red cedar pieces for like 20 dollars from a local mill. They were short pieces, maybe 2 feet long each, but I made so many cool things from them. Planter boxes, small shelves, coasters, you name it.
Where to Find Eastern Red Cedar Wood for Sale
Finding Eastern Red Cedar wood for sale is actually not as hard as you might think. This wood grows across much of the eastern USA, from Maine all the way down to Texas and Georgia. So depending on where you are, there might be some growing right in your area.
Here are the places I recommend looking for red cedar woodworking material:
Local Lumber Yards They usually carry cedar boards in various sizes. Call ahead and ask specifically for Eastern Red Cedar or aromatic cedar.
Online Lumber Stores There are several online shops that sell Eastern Red Cedar wood for sale and they ship directly to your home. One place I like to check is Woodworkers Source because they got good variety of aromatic cedar boards with fast shipping across USA.
Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace This is my secret weapon honestly. So many people have cedar trees on their property and they just want them removed. Sometimes you can get red cedar logs or boards for almost nothing. I have seen air dried boards going for less than a dollar per board foot on these platforms.
Local Sawmills If you type “red cedar woodworking near me” in Google, you might find small sawmills near your location that carry this wood. Small mills usually offer better prices than retail stores.
Easy Red Cedar Woodworking Projects for Complete Beginners
Alright, now lets get to the fun part. What can you actually make with red cedar? Here are some red cedar woodworking projects that I have tried myself and they are perfect if you are just starting.
1. Simple Planter Box
This is probably the easiest red cedar woodworking project you can do. Just cut four sides and a bottom, screw them together, and you have a gorgeous planter for your garden. Cedar is naturally rot resistant so your planter will last for years outside without any treatment. I made my first one in like 45 minutes and it still looks great after two years sitting in the rain and sun.
2. Cedar Storage Box or Keepsake Chest
A small cedar box is a classic red cedar woodworking project. You can use it to store clothes, blankets, or just keepsakes. The natural aroma of the wood keeps everything smelling fresh and some folks believe it helps keep moths away too. You can make a basic box with just butt joints and wood glue. Nothing fancy needed.
3. Bird House
Red cedar is one of the best woods for making bird houses. Its lightweight, weather resistant, and birds seem to love it. This is a great weekend red cedar woodworking project that even kids can help with. You only need a few small pieces of wood and some screws.
4. Garden Bench or Outdoor Chair
If you are ready for something a bit bigger, try making a simple garden bench from red cedar. The wood handles outdoor weather really well and develops a beautful silver grey patina over time if you leave it unfinished. If you want free plans for outdoor chairs, check out my post on outdoor chair plans where I share step by step instructions.
5. Closet Lining
This one is super simple but makes a huge difference. Buy some thin red cedar boards and nail or glue them inside your closet. Your closet will smell absolutely wonderful and your clothes will benefit from the natural insect repelling properties of the cedar oil. Red cedar plywood sheets also work great for this purpse if you want even easier installation.
6. Coasters and Small Gift Items
If you have scrap pieces left over from bigger red cedar woodworking projects, dont throw them away. Cut them into small circles or squares, sand them smooth, and you have beautful handmade coasters. These also make amazing gifts. I gave a set to my cousin for his birthday and he thougt I bought them from some expensive store.
Red Cedar Woodworking for Sale: Can You Make Money?
Oh yes, this is something I get asked about a lot. Can you actually sell your red cedar woodworking projects? And the answer is absolutely yes.
Red cedar woodworking for sale is a real thing and people love buying handmade cedar items. Planter boxes, small chests, bird houses, coat hangers, and decorative signs made from red cedar sell really well at farmers markets and online platforms like Etsy.
I have seen cedar planters selling for anywhere between $50 to $100 at local markets. And the material cost for making them? Maybe $10 to $15 if you buy smart. That is a pretty good profit margin for something that takes an hour or two to build.
If you want more ideas on making money from woodworking, you should definately explore that. Red cedar woodworking projects have that rustic handmade charm that people are willing to pay good money for.
Red Cedar vs Red Cedar Plywood: Which Should You Use?
This confuses a lot of beginners so let me clear it up. Red cedar plywood is basically thin sheets of cedar veneer glued together onto a plywood core. Its not solid red cedar wood, but it gives you the look and some of the smell at a lower cost.
Red cedar plywood is great for: Closet lining panels, back panels for cabinets, craft projects where you need larger flat pieces, and wall paneling.
But for most red cedar woodworking projects like furniture, boxes, planters, and outdoor items, I would recommend using solid red cedar boards. They are stronger, more durable, and they have that full aroma that plywood just cant match.
Red cedar plywood can be a budget friendly option though if you are doing a large project like lining an entire closet or making a wall accent. So keep it in mind as an alternative.
What About Red Cedar Firewood?
Now this might seem like a weird topic for a woodworking blog, but hear me out. When you are doing red cedar woodworking, you will always have scrap pieces and offcuts that are too small for any project. What do you do with them?
Red cedar firewood is actually quite nice for campfires and fire pits. It burns hot and gives off that amazing cedar smell. However, I should warn you that it does crackle and pop quite a bit when burning because of the oils in the wood. So its not the best choice for indoor fireplaces unless you have a good screen.
I keep a bucket near my workbench and toss all my small red cedar scraps into it. Then on weekends when we have friends over for a bonfire, I add some cedar pieces to the fire. Everyone always asks why the fire smells so good. Thats my little secret haha.
But please dont burn your good red cedar woodworking material as firewood. That would be a waste. Red cedar firewood should only be the small unusable scraps that you cant do nothing else with.
Tools You Need for Red Cedar Woodworking on a Budget
Like I said before, you really dont need expensive tools to start with red cedar. Here is my basic tool list that covers most beginner red cedar woodworking projects:
A hand saw or basic jigsaw for cutting. A power drill with screwdriver bits. Sandpaper in 80 grit, 120 grit, and 220 grit. Wood glue for joining pieces. A tape measure and pencil for marking. A square for making straight lines. Some clamps to hold pieces while glue dries.
Thats honestly it. You can start your red cedar woodworking journey with just these basic tools and they wont cost you more than 50 to 60 dollars total if you buy budget brands.
As you get more into it, you might want to add a circular saw, a sander, or even a table saw. But those are not needed in the begining. Dont let anyone tell you that you need a full workshop to start making things. I built my first five red cedar woodworking projects with tools that fit in one small toolbox.
Important Tips When Working With Red Cedar
Here are some things I learned the hard way while doing red cedar woodworking that I wish someone told me earlier:
Always wear a dust mask. Cedar dust can cause allergic reactions in some people. The wood smells nice but breathing in too much of that fine dust is not good for your lungs. I learned this after getting a bad cough one time. So please, wear a mask when cutting and sanding. If you want more detailed safety info, The Wood Database has a good page on Eastern Red Cedar with notes about allergies and toxicity that is worth reading.
Use stainless steel or coated screws. Regular steel screws will react with the oils in cedar and cause ugly black stains around the screw holes. Use stainless steel, brass, or coated fasteners to avoid this problem. I ruined a whole planter box before I figured this out.
Pre drill your screw holes. Even though red cedar is soft, it can split if you just force screws in without pre drilling. Take the extra minute to drill pilot holes and you will save yourself a lot of frustration.
Dont apply heavy finishes if you want the smell. One of the best things about red cedar woodworking is that amazing aroma. If you cover it with thick varnish or polyurethane, you will seal in all the scent. For indoor items like storage boxes and closet liners, leave the wood unfinished or just apply a very light oil. For outdoor items, a simple exterior oil finish works good without blocking too much of the natural fragrance.
Let the wood aclimatize. If you buy kiln dried red cedar, let it sit in your workshop for a few days before you start cutting. This helps the wood adjust to your local humidity and reduces the chance of warping later. For outdoor use this is less critical but still a good practice.
Red Cedar Woodworking Near Me: How to Find Local Suppliers
A lot of people search for “red cedar woodworking near me” and honestly this is a smart move. Buying locally saves you a ton on shipping costs, which can be really expensive for heavy wood boards.
To find local red cedar suppliers, try these methods. Ask at your local hardware store if they carry aromatic cedar or Eastern Red Cedar. Search Google Maps for sawmills and lumber yards in your area. Join local woodworking groups on Facebook. These communities are goldmine for finding cheap lumber sources. Check with tree removal companies. They sometimes have cedar logs available for free or very cheap.
I found my current red cedar supplier through a Facebook woodworking group. The guy has a small sawmill about 30 minutes from my house and he sells beautful red cedar boards at amazing prices. Never would have found him without that online community.
For those who cant find red cedar woodworking near me options, buying online is always there as backup. Just factor in the shipping cost when comparing prices.
My Honest Experience with Red Cedar Woodworking
Let me share a quick story. When I started this whole red cedar woodworking thing about two years ago, I was honestly a bit nervous. I had only worked with pine before and I dint know if cedar would be diffrent.
My first project was a small jewlery box for my wife. I bought some Eastern Red Cedar wood boards from a local guy, brought them home, and just started cutting. And you know what? It was actually easier than working with pine. The wood cut like butter with my hand saw. The sanding was smooth and effortless. And the smell that filled my garage workshop was incredible.
That little box turned out so good that my wife showed it to all her freinds. And two of them asked me to make one for them too. That was when I realized that red cedar woodworking could actually turn into more than just a hobby.
Now I probably use red cedar for about 60 percent of all my projects. Its my go to wood for anything outdoor because of how well it handles weather. And for indoor items, nothing beats that natural cedar fragrance.
If you are thinking about trying red cedar woodworking but feeling unsure, just go for it. Buy a few cheap boards, watch some tutorial videos, and start with something simple like a planter box or a set of coasters. You will be hooked after your first project, I guarantee it.
Conclusion: Red Cedar Woodworking is Worth Every Penny
So there you have it freinds. My complete honest guide to red cedar woodworking for beginners on a budget. I really hope this helps you get started on your own cedar journey.
To sum it all up, red cedar woodworking is one of the most beginner friendly and budget friendly ways to get into this amazing hobby. The wood is easy to find, easy to work with, and the results always look stunning. Whether you want to make planter boxes, storage chests, bird houses, or even sell your creations, red cedar is the perfect wood to start with.
Remember, you dont need fancy tools or expensive lumber to create beautful things. Start small, learn as you go, and most importantly have fun with it. Red cedar woodworking has honestly brought so much joy into my life and I am sure it will do the same for you.
If you have any questions about red cedar woodworking or want to share your own projects, feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to me at easydiywood.com. I love hearing from fellow woodworking beginners.
Happy building everyone!
